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民族 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
民族mínzúnationalityHSK 4, n, rank #6408, Medium
民族mínzúethnic groupHSK 4, n, rank #6408, Medium
民族mínzú>个[gè]HSK 4, n, rank #6408, Medium
mínzú(min2zu2) T2
  1. 1nationality
  2. 2ethnic group
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March 24, 2026
民族mínzú(min2zu2)

民族 (mínzú) refers to a group of people who share a common culture, language, and often a historical background, forming a distinct identity. It is commonly used in discussions about cultural diversity, identity politics, and demographics, particularly in relation to China's many ethnic groups.

Frequency#6408DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In China, there are 56 recognized ethnic groups, each with unique traditions and languages. The term 民族 is significant in conversations about the country's rich cultural tapestry and the government's policies regarding ethnic minorities.

Memory Tip

Imagine a mini zoo (民族) where each animal represents a different ethnic group. Just like animals in a zoo are diverse but belong to specific species, so too do people belong to different民族. The 'min' (民) can remind you of 'mini' for small, while 'zu' (族) can sound like 'zoo.'

Meanings of 民族

mínzú(min2zu2)
1nationality
2ethnic group
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 民族

民族Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6408Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 民族

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Podcast: 民族

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AI Study Notes for 民族

Quick Contrast

民族 (mínzú) vs 文化 (wénhuà) — use 民族 when referring specifically to an ethnic group, whereas 文化 refers more broadly to culture in general.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a mini zoo (民族) where each animal represents a different ethnic group. Just like animals in a zoo are diverse but belong to specific species, so too do people belong to different民族. The 'min' (民) can remind you of 'mini' for small, while 'zu' (族) can sound like 'zoo.'

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 民族 with 国籍 (guójí), which means nationality in the legal sense. 民族 is more about ethnic identity, while 国籍 refers to the country you're legally recognized as a citizen of. This term is typically used in formal discussions.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 4, focus on connecting 民族 with other related terms like 文化 (wénhuà, culture) and 语言 (yǔyán, language), as they often appear together in discussions about ethnic groups. Practicing these associations can enhance your vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In China, there are 56 recognized ethnic groups, each with unique traditions and languages. The term 民族 is significant in conversations about the country's rich cultural tapestry and the government's policies regarding ethnic minorities.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 民族 with 族 (zú) alone, which means family or clan, losing the broader cultural context. Remember, 民族 specifically addresses ethnic groups rather than simply familial ties.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 民族

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Component Characters

民mínthe people
HSK 45 strokes民
View full entry
族zúrace
HSK 511 strokes方
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Write 民族

民
族

Practice writing 民族 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 民族

民族 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这一危机已在魁北克激起了一波____独立主义情绪。

The crisis has set off a wave of nationalist feelings in Quebec.

Example Sentences for 民族 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这一危机已在魁北克激起了一波民族独立主义情绪。

zhè yī wēi jī yǐ zài kuí běi kè jī qǐ le yī bō mín zú dú lì zhǔ yì qíng xù。

The crisis has set off a wave of nationalist feelings in Quebec.
2
西班牙是多种传统和多个民族的合成体。

xī bān yá shì duō zhǒng chuán tǒng hé duō gè mín zú de hé chéng tǐ。

Spain is a composite of multifarious traditions and people.
3
他暗示我们妄自尊大地以为自己是个足球民族。

tā àn shì wǒ mén wàng zì zūn dà dì yǐ wéi zì jǐ shì gè zú qiú mín zú。

He suggested that we suffer delusions of grandeur as a football nation.
4
这是一篇剖析民族主义的让人不安的文章。

zhè shì yī piān pōu xī mín zú zhǔ yì de ràng rén bù ān de wén zhāng。

This was a troubling essay on the anatomy of nationhood.
5
他本能的反应会是寻求与民族主义者取得新的和解。

tā běn néng de fǎn yīng huì shì xún qiú yǔ mín zú zhǔ yì zhě qǔ dé xīn de hé jiě。

His instinct would be to seek a new accommodation with the nationalists.
6
各民族人口如此杂居，肯定会发生冲突。

gè mín zú rén kǒu rú cǐ zá jū， ， kěn dìng huì fā shēng chōng。

The ethnic populations are so intermingled that there's bound to be conflict.
7
警方说，他们认为袭击是民族主义分子发动的。

jǐng fāng shuō， ， tā mén rèn wéi xí jī shì mín zú zhǔ yì fēn zǐ fā dòng。

Police say they believe the attacks were carried out by nationalists.
8
为了看上去不过于正式，卡罗琳建议穿有民族色彩的上衣。

wéi le kàn shàng qù bù guò yú zhèng shì， ， kǎ luó lín jiàn yì chuān yǒu mín zú sè cǎi de shàng。

To soften a formal look, Caroline recommends ethnic blouses.
9
他们和不同民族的人们一起和睦地生活和工作。

tā mén hé bù tóng mín zú de rén mén yī qǐ hé mù dì shēng huó hé gōng zuò。

They've been living and working peacefully with members of various ethnic groups.
10
我看我们最好还是搁下民族主义这个话题吧。

wǒ kàn wǒ mén zuì hǎo huán shì gē xià mín zú zhǔ yì zhè gè huà tí bā。

I think we'd better leave the subject of Nationalism.

Cultural Notes for 民族

🏮Cultural insight

In China, there are 56 recognized ethnic groups, each with unique traditions and languages. The term 民族 is significant in conversations about the country's rich cultural tapestry and the government's policies regarding ethnic minorities.

Frequently Asked Questions about 民族

民族 refers to ethnic groups and cultural identity, while 国籍 refers to legal nationality.